Bit brace



T. HALLIKAS BLT BRAGE Filed March 3l, 1957 `r INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED stars PATNT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to a bit and more especially carpenters wood boring braces.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a brace of this character, wherein the same by its construction is susceptible of operation in close quarters or places in that the brace can be readily and quickly converted from a large to a small one or vice versa and is of the ratchet acting type.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a brace of this character, wherein the leverage for the same can be changed at the election of the user of such brace and the scope of utility of the latter is materially enhanced in that the brace can be lengthened or shortened according to the nature of the work operated upon, thus the said brace being of a convertible type.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a brace of this character, which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in operation, readily and easily adjusted, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture. Y

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, cornbination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims. hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the brace, partly in section, constructed in accordance with the invention, being shown by full lines adjusted to maximum extent, while as shown by dotted lines the brace is converted for congested or close work.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hand grip of the brace showing by full lines one adjustment and by dotted lines another adjustment of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the leverage arm for said grip.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the stud or journal mount for the said grip.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section of a leverage arm in substitute for the crank arm of the brace.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a locking screw employed with the brace.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally the brace constructed in accordance with the invention and comprising a chuck I0 for accommodating bits, either boring or screw driver types. The chuck I has ratchet acting connections I I with a coupling lever I2 set at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the chuck ID and such connections II are of standard construction or make-up. The outer end ofr the lever I2 has formed therein a socket I3 intersected by a locking pin hole I4 and into which is removably fitted the latching end I5 of a cranking frame I6, the end I5 being also provided with a pin hole I1 for alignment with the hole I4 for the releasable reception of a locking pin I8 in these holes. The locking pin I3 is formed with an externally threaded shoulder I9 for the threaded engagement in the locking .pin hole I4 and also has a freely rotatable grip knob 29 journaled thereon.

The cranking frame I6 at the straight intermediate portion 2l of the same has journaled thereon a. roller grip 22 held against displacement longitudinally of the straight portion II- between shoulders 23 provided on said frame I6.

The frame I has at its other end an enlarged socketed terminal 24, its socket 25 being threaded for the separable engagement therein of an externally threaded attaching lug 26 of a journal 21 rotatably supporting a hub 23 for a grip knob or head 29, the hub being formed with a base 39 for the knob or head 29 which is made secure thereto in any desirable manner. The journal 21 is formed` with a flat faced wrench engaging Shoulder 32 next to the lug 26 and this shoulder accommodates a removable looking screw 33 engageable with the terminal 24 for the fastening of the journal separably connected with said frame I 6. It is preferable to have interposed between the journal and the hub suitable antifriction bearings 34.

The hub 28 is detachably tted rotatably on the journal 21 by a lock washer 35 engaged upon the, head end 39 of said journal 21. The knob or head 29 in its bottom portion next to the base 30 has formed therein a guide way 3l for slidable fitting therewith of an extension handle 31 having a key hole shaped slot 38 therein for separable slidable tting with opposed notches 39 in the journal 21 and further the said handle 31 carries a knob lill for accommodation within a seat 4I provided in the knob or head 29 when the handle 31 is shifted inwardly with respect to said knob or head 29 and not in use. This handle 31 when inwardly of the knob or head 29 allows free rotation of the said knob or head 29 on the journal 21 and when such handle is pulled outwardly with respect to the latter the same will be locked against rotation on the journal 21. The knob or head 29 has fitted therein a friction leaf spring 42 which plays against the handle 31 to frictionally hold the same in a shifted position. Normally the handle 31 is pushed inwardly of the knob or head 29 so that such knob or head is susceptible of free rotation on the journal 21.

When the frame I6 is separated from the lever I2 by removal of the end I5 of said frame from the socket I3 a short handle 43 can be substituted for this frame I6 and this handle is adapted at the end 44 to fit the socket I 3, being provided with a hole 45 fo-r the locking pin I8 while at the other outer end 46 of said handle 43 are carried freely rotatable knobs 41, these being disposed at opposite sides of the end 46 so that both knobs -41 afford a cross grip to the said handle 43. In the use of the handle 43 with the lever I2 increased leverage is obtainable in the use of the brace. The turning spindle 48 for the chuck IIl is formed with an internally threaded socket 49 accommo- 'dating vthe 'lug 26 of the journal 21 carrying the knob or head 29 sothat When this knob or head 29 with its journal =21 is separated from the cranking 'frame I6, the same may be connected through the lug 26 in the socket'49 in the spindle 43 and in this fashion the brace will be converted to a materially reduced lsize for the operation thereof in close places or localities with respect to work operated upon an arm extensible from and slidably fitted in said grip and latching the latter on the element when in one position for holding said grip against rotation.

2. A brace of the kind described comprising a chuck, ratchet acting-means operatively connected with said chuck, a leverage element separably joined with said means, a normally swiveling grip separably journaled on said element, an arm extensible from and slidably iitted in said grip and latching the latter on the element when in one kposition for holding said grip against rotation,

and a knob on'said'arm and inset within the grip when the arm is moved to another position vfor free swiveling of said grip.

THEODORE HALLIKAS. 

